ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Nearly 72% of financial transactions of Public Sector Banks  done through digital channels
Customers active on digital channels doubled from 3.4 crore in FY2019-20 to 7.6 crore in FY2020-21
Nearly 72% of financial transactions of Public Sector Banks  are now done through digital channels, with customers active on digital channels having doubled from 3.4 crore in FY2019-20 to 7.6 crore in FY2020-21. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister stated, however, that the license for banking is given by the Reserve Bank of India  and RBI has informed that it is not considering a separate licensing category for digital banks at present.
The Minister further enumerated a number of steps that have been taken to facilitate digital banking including, inter-alia: -
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 Under the Public Sector Banks  EASE Reforms Agenda,—
- Enhanced access to mobile banking and Internet banking has been enabled through an increase in the PSB average for the number of services offered , customer-friendly features  and regional languages available on the customer interface ;
- End-to-end automated digital lending has been introduced in larger PSBs for unsecured personal loans , loans to micro-enterprises  and renewals of loans to micro, small and medium enterprises ;
- Digital retail loan request initiation through digital channels has been enabled in all the seven large PSBs, with retail disbursements from loan requests so initiated in the financial year  2020-21 amounting to Rs. 40,819 crore;
- Customer-need-driven, analytics-based credit offers have been given an impetus, resulting in Rs. 49,777 crore of fresh retail loan disbursements by the seven larger PSBs in FY2020-21.
 Government’s Jeevan Pramaan initiative for pensioners has enabled pensioners the facility to update their annual life certificate online.
 Initiation of digital lending has been made contactless through PSBloansin59minutes.com, using triangulation of credit bureau, income-tax and goods and services tax  data, to provide online in principle approval for loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises , home loans, personal loans and automobile loans.
 Online bill discounting for MSMEs has been enabled on a competitive basis through onboarding of PSBs onto the Trade Receivables Discounting System  platform.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates RRR team on winning Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song ‘Naatu Naatu’
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated the entire team of RRR on winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song ‘Naatu Naatu’.
Sharing a tweet by RRR movie, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“A very special accomplishment! Compliments to M M Keeravaani, Prem Rakshith, Kaala Bhairava, Chandrabose, Rahul Sipligunj. I also congratulate S S Rajamouli, Jr NTR, Ram Charan and the entire team of RRR Movie. This prestigious honour has made every Indian very proud.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India’s first pilot plant to convert high ash coal to methanol can accelerate the country’s journey towards clean technology
India has developed an indigenous technology to convert high ash Indian coal to methanol and established its first pilot plant in Hyderabad. This technology will help the country move towards the adoption of clean technology and promote the use of methanol as a transportation fuel , thus reducing crude oil imports.
The broad process of converting coal into methanol consists of conversion of coal to synthesis  gas, syngas cleaning and conditioning, syngas to methanol conversion, and methanol purification. Coal to methanol plants in most countries are operated with low ash coals. Handling of high ash and heat required to melt this high amount of ash is a challenge in the case of Indian coal, which generally has high ask content.
For more details, Tirupathi Naidu Ch Deputy Manager, IGCC Dept. BHEL Corp. R&D  can be contacted.
In order to overcome this challenge, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited  has developed the fluidized bed gasification technology suitable for high ash Indian coals to produce syngas and then convert syngas to methanol with 99% purity. BHEL has integrated its existing coal to syngas pilot plant at Hyderabad with suitable downstream process for converting syngas into methanol. This pilot-scale project with a methanol generation capacity of 0.25 metric tons per day has been initiated by NITI Aayog and funded by the Department of Science and Technology  under Clean Energy Research Initiative.
Currently, the pilot plant is producing methanol with purity of more than 99%. Scaling it up will help in optimum utilization of the country’s energy reserves and accelerate its journey towards self-reliance.
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SNC/RR
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Cabinet
Cabinet approves Integrated Goods and Services Tax  Bill, 2017
Cabinet approves Integrated Goods and Services Tax  Bill, 2017
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for the promulgation of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax  Ordinance, 2017 and replacement of the Ordinance by the Integrated Goods and Services Tax  Bill, 2017.
The Ordinance has extended the provisions of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 referred to as  to the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Ordinance has been promulgated on 8th July, 2017 and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax  Bill, 2017 will be tabled in the current session of the Parliament.
Ministry of Finance
Signing of 62 Advance Pricing Agreements by CBDT in FY 2021-22
The Central Board of Direct Taxes  has entered into 62 Advance Pricing Agreements  in FY 2021-22 with Indian taxpayers. This includes 13 Bilateral APAs  and 49 Unilateral APAs. With this, the total number of APAs since inception of the APA program has gone up to 421.
Despite severe economic and social disruption caused by the CoVID-19 pandemic in first part of the financial year, the number of APAs signed compares very well with the APAs signed in the preceding two years .
The APA Scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the arm’s length price of international transactions in advance for the maximum of five future years. Further, the taxpayer has the option to rollback the APA for four preceding years, as a result of which, total nine years of tax certainty is provided.
The progress of the APA scheme strengthens the Government’s resolve of fostering a non-adversarial tax regime and increasing the ease of doing business in India. CBDT appreciates the cooperative and transparent attitude of taxpayers in this regard.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves the extension of Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Netherlands on technical cooperation in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding  signed between India and Netherlands on technical cooperation in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management in April, 2018.
Details
The objectives of this MoU are to promote and strengthen the collaboration between the signatories in the areas of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management on the basis of equivalence, affordable housing, smart city development, geographical information system  for water supply & sewerage system, waste water reuse and recycle, conservation of fresh water by artificial recharge of aquifer, integrated solid waste management and heritage conservation and mutual benefit, taking into account the practical needs of both the countries.
Implementation strategy
Under this MoU, a Joint Working Group  will be set up to strategize and implement programmes on cooperation under the framework of the MoU. The Joint Working Group will meet once in a year, alternately in the Netherlands and in India.
Major Impact
The MoU will promote bilateral cooperation in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management between the two countries.
Beneficiaries
The MoU is expected to create employment in the areas of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management, smart cities development, affordable housing, waste management, urban environment and heritage preservation.
Ministry of Science & Technology
New wheat variety helps farmers in a village in Maharashtra double their yield
The newly developed common wheat or bread wheat, also called high yielding Aestivum, matures in 110 days and is resistant to most races of leaf and stem rust
Farmers now have a wheat variety developed by Indian scientists with significantly high yield. The chapati from the flour of this wheat also scores high on quality.
This wheat variety called MACS 6478 and developed by Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute , an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology , Government of India, has doubled the crop yield for farmers in Karanjkhop, a village in Maharashtra.
The farmers of the village in Koregaon tehsil of Satara district in Maharashtra are now getting a yield of 45-60 quintal per hectare with the new variety as against earlier average yield ranging 25-30 quintal per hectare when they cultivated Lok 1, HD 2189 and other old varieties.
The newly developed common wheat or bread wheat, also called high yielding Aestivum, matures in 110 days and is resistant to most races of leaf and stem rust. The amber colored medium sized grain contains 14% protein, 44.1 ppm zinc and 42.8 ppm iron which is higher than other cultivated varieties. A research paper on this variety has been published in ‘International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences’.
The chapati quality of flour of this wheat is excellent, having score of 8.05 with good bread quality scoring 6.93. Maharashtra State seed agency for seed multiplication, ‘Mahabeej’ is carrying out certified seed production of MACS 6478 for use by farmers.
With the efforts of a former seed certification officer and support from ARI staff, so far 10 farmers of the village have cultivated this variety on fourteen acres of land. Farmers of Karanjkhop have planned to establish a company for further seed production and other agricultural produce.
"We needed one spark to motivate us and that is provided by ARI wheat variety MACS 6478. Now, we will never look back." Mr. Ramesh Jadhav, a farmer, who witnessed all this change said.
[Publication details:
Evaluation of wheat  genotypes for changing climatic condition under different sowing windows in semi-arid tropics of Western Maharashtra, India. 2018. DN Bankar, VS Baviskar, KJ Yashavantha Kumar, SS Raskar, SS Khairnar, VD Gite, VD Surve, JH Bagwan and BK Honrao. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 7: 761-770.]
[For further details Scientist Ajit M Chavan , Genetics & Plant Breeding Group, and Dr PK Dhakephalkar, Director , ARI, Pune,  can be contacted.]
Ministry of Communications
Shramdaan for Swachhta by O/o CCA, Karnataka
O/o Controller of Communication Accounts, Karnataka circle, under Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communication did one hour of Shramdaan, a cleaning drive on 1st October 2023. This was a part of Swachhta hi Seva Campaign, which is held under the Swacch Bharat Activities.
The aim of the campaign is to concentrate on the cleanliness of the public/community spaces. Thus, the CCA office identified a nearby place of worship and its surroundings for the cleanliness drive. The event was publicised for widespread participation from the public through the following link https://swachhatahiseva.com/
/128s9EQaBGJ7wAiiPPJN.
The officers and officials of the office, gathered enthusiastically today at the Muneeshwara Temple and carried out the cleaning activities in the temple premises, its surroundings, and the roads adjacent to it. The officials also encouraged the devotees and the localites of the area to take up cleanliness activities not just for today but round the year for a Garbage Free India.
PIB Headquarters
SAINIK SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FINAL RANK LIST PUBLISHED
The final merit list of All India Sainik Schools Entrance Exam along with the joining instruction for the admission into Class VI & IX for the academic year 2017-18 is published in the school website www.sainikschooltvm.nic.in.
The qualified candidates will be intimated by post. All medically unfit candidates may apply for review medical by submitting an application through parents/guardians, addressed to the Principal, Sainik School, Kazhakootam on or before 21 Mar 2017 along with opinion of a Govt. Medical Practitioner.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID19 Vaccination: Myths Vs. Facts
Union Health Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya addresses issues of shortage of COVID vaccine in a series of tweets
“States/UTs informed in advance of Vaccine availability to ensure effective advance planning of the vaccination drive to avoid mismanagement”
Advises those who are spreading misinformation among the people through irresponsible statements for introspection
There have been several statements from some States and political representatives regarding shortage and slow availability of COVID vaccines in the country. In a series of tweets today, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya has debunked these allegations and myths, stating that such statements are not based on facts and intend to create panic among the people.
The Union Health Minister stated that the prevailing situation can be better understood by an analysis of the prevailing situation based on evidence and facts. To enable vaccination through Government and Private hospitals, 11.46 crore vaccine doses were made available to State governments and Union Territories in June 2021 by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This availability has been increased to 13.50 crore doses in the month of July, he said.
Based on the discussion with the manufacturers, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had informed all States/UTs on June 19, 2021, regarding number of doses of the vaccine to be made available to States/UTs in month of July. Subsequently, on June 27 and July 13, the States were also informed in advance about the availability of vaccines every day for the first and second fortnight of July 2021. This was done so that States are aware of the time and quantity of doses and thereby plan the vaccination drive in a better and effective manner at the State/District level. The States/UTs have been advised to plan their COVID -19 Vaccination sessions based on the availability of the COVID vaccines so that people of the country do not face any problem.
The Union Health Minister also stated in his tweets that despite giving advance information to the States on the vaccine availability, if mismanagement and long queues of vaccination beneficiaries are being seen, it is clearly evident what the real issue is and who is responsible for this state of affairs. Shri Mansukh Mandaviya further advised that persons who are making statements in the media, that are creating misinformation and panic in the people, need to introspect whether they have distanced themselves so much from governance processes and the related information being given to them, that they are not even aware of the correct advance information been provided regarding availability of vaccines.
Competition Commission of India
Competition Commission of India  celebrates its 10th Annual Day on 20th May 2019
The Competition Commission of India  celebrated its 10th Annual Day yesterday, i.e. on 20th May, 2019 which marks the notification of the substantive enforcement provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.
On this occasion, Shri N. K. Singh, Chairman, Fifteenth Finance Commission, Govt. of India, delivered the Annual Day Lecture on “Should Competitive Federalism Complement Cooperative Federalism?”
Shri N.K. Singh in his Introductory Remarks dwelt upon the scope, jurisdiction, mandate and duties of the Finance Commission in view of the Article 280 of the Constitution of India. He pointed that it is challenging to provide ideal distribution of tax revenues between Union and the States considering the peculiar issues involved with the States in terms of economic structure, demographic management and administrative mechanism. However, the Finance Commission will endeavour to reward efficiency while recognising equity, he said.
While appreciating the role of Competition Commission of India as a Market Regulator ensuring level playing field, he stated that in increased globalized and inter-dependent world, the role of the Competition Commission of India is required to be dynamic. He further underscored the fact that the globalized and inter-dependent world will draw more private investments and the State Governments can take advantage of that in their all-round progress. Public-Private Partnership  can also bring positive changes in the developments of the Sates in India and the Competition Commission of India can play a vital role in ensuring level playing field.
Shri Singh further underlined the necessity of having a Market Regulator as competition in markets ensures optimum utilization of resources and bring forth innovation at forefront. In view of rapid change in technology day by day, disruption in services and products have become a new norm in the markets and dynamic role of the Competition Commission of India is required for its regulation. He also highlighted the fact that the economic reforms in India so far, have largely focussed on the products market and it is now imperative to take it to the factor markets which includes reforms in labour and land laws and ensuring access to capitals.
Earlier, Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Competition Commission of India, in his Welcome Address, stated that CCI is a young but perceptive regulator and has strived to nurture a culture of competition in markets through credible antitrust enforcement and regular engagement with the stakeholders. The Commission frequently solicits and takes cognizance of the stakeholders’ insights. Since 2009, the CCI has reviewed 1010 antitrust cases, 660 merger filings and has held more than 700 advocacy events.
Ministry of Power
Power Minister reviews coal stock position in thermal power plants
Ample coal available to meet the demand of power plants
Any fear of disruption in power supply entirely misplaced
Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh reviewed the coal stock position in all thermal power plants including those plants which are supplying power to distribution companies of Delhi. Yesterday on 9th October, 2021, the total despatch of coal from all sources  was 1.92 million tonnes while the total consumption was 1.87 million tonnes. Thus, the coal despatch have exceeded the consumption, thereby indicating shift to gradual building up of coal stock. Ministry of Coal and Coal India have assured that there is ample coal available in the country to meet the demand of power plants. Any fear of disruption in power supply is entirely misplaced. The coal stock at power plant is sufficient for more than 4 days’ requirement and as the coal supply is being ramped up by CIL, the coal stock at power plant would gradually improve.
The Minister has directed that distribution companies of Delhi will get as much as power as requisitioned by them as per their demand. NTPC and DVC have been directed to give full availability as per the requirement of DISCOMs. GAIL India Limited has been advised to make gas available from all sources viz., APM, SPOT, LT-RLNG sources to gas based power plants in Delhi. NTPC has also been advised to offer normative declared capacity to the Delhi DISCOMs as per their allocations from gas based power plants under respective PPAs. If any DISCOMs is found to resort to load shedding despite being power available as per PPA, action would be initiated against them.
Despite heavy rains in the month of August – September 2021, steep hike in power demand due to economic recovery and increase in prices of imported coal, domestic coal supply have sustained the operation of power plants and all out efforts are being made to ensure full power supply to the DISCOMs as per there requirements.
Ministry of Finance
Goods & Services Tax refund
A number of companies applied for a Goods & Services Tax  refund since the introduction of the tax regime. As on 02.12.2019, a total of 1,86,158 entities have filed 36,42,272 refund applications, out of which 34,46,010 refund applications have been finalised.
This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister further said there are 52,720 IGST  refund claims pending for more than one year. The reasons for this pendency include non-submission of required documents by the applicants.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri unveils commemorative publications & stamps of Indian Oil Refineries
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, here today released publications on Diamond Jubilee milestone of IndianOil’s Guwahati Refinery & Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bongaigaon Refinery. Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Labour and Employment, Shri SM Vaidya, Chairman and Ms Sukla Mistry, Director , IndianOil were also present. The celebrations were also marked with release of My Stamps by the dignitaries. My Stamps have been issued by Indian Postal Department.
While releasing the stamp, Shri Puri lauded the efforts of oil sector PSUs, especially IndianOil. “IndianOil is spearheading many environmental & social initiatives, along with expanding its business horizons in the field of green energy fuels”. “My Stamps released today are a testament of IndianOil’s steadfast commitment to serve the nation”, he added.
“The publications showcase landmark achievements of IndianOil, signifying the zeal of the Corporation towards meeting the fuel demands of the country through continuous technology upgradation”, shared Shri Rameswar Teli during the celebratory function. Shri SM Vaidya said that the IndianOil’s north eastern refineries are playing a crucial role in meeting the energy demands, while adopting latest technology, keeping in tune with evolving times.
Indian Oil’s Guwahati Refinery, the first Public Sector Refinery of the country and Bongaigaon Refinery have been meeting the energy needs of the north-east region of India, and the neighbouring regions. The refining capacity of all the three refineries of IndianOil in the north-east region shall be increased by 2030 under the Government of India’s North-East Vision. Playing an active role in bolstering the economy of north-east of India, these refineries are supporting the local communities through development projects with inclusive growth as the guiding light.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
95.19 Cr. vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
Recovery Rate currently at 98.00%; Highest since March 2020
21,563 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,32,93,478
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.67%; Lowest since March 2020
India's Active caseload stands at 2,27,347; lowest in 209 days
18,132 new cases in the last 24 hours; lowest in 215 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 108 days
Daily positivity rate  less than 3% for last 42 days
58.36 cr Total Tests conducted so far